Women’s Water Polo: Meet the Freshmen

Dec 05, 2013

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A trio of freshmen dot the Brown women's water polo roster for the 2014 season, including Shannon Crowley (Orange County, Calif.), Marisa Kolokotronis (Sacramento, Calif.) and Hannah Koper (Santa Barbara, Calif.). The three rookies took the time to talk to Brownbears.com and help fans get to know the newest members of the women's water polo team. The topics ranged from why they chose Brown, their favorite sports memories and the experience of moving from California to Providence.

#8 Shannon Crowley
CD, Orange County, Calif. (Los Alamitos)

Why Brown?
"I chose Brown because of the academic freedom of the open curriculum and the overall atmosphere of the school. I felt at home both with the team and just walking around campus."

Intended concentration
"Biomedical engineering"

Nickname
"I don't really have a nickname."

Favorite sport besides water polo
"I don't really know that much about it, but I could watch basketball all day."

Favorite professional sports team
"Sacramento Kings"

Fondest pre-Brown sports memory
"My fondest memory is winning the Sunset League with my high school swim team. Both the guys and girls team won my senior year. I'll always remember jumping in the pool with my girls."

Favorite part about the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center
"My favorite part about the Brown aquatics center is Felix Mercado and his dance moves."

Favorite/least favorite thing about moving to the East Coast
"My favorite part is the weather. And my least favorite part is the weather. I love the seasons. I took so many pictures of the leaves changing colors."

What are you looking forward to most this season?
"I am looking forward to growing both as a player and a team."

#6 Marisa KolokotronisAT, Sacramento, Calif. (St. Francis)

Why Brown?"I chose Brown first for its academics and then for water polo. I absolutely fell in love with the environment and its diversity. The moment I stepped on campus I knew that I was home."

Intended Concentration"I am currently undeclared, but something more humanities oriented."

Nickname"I don't really have a nickname."

Favorite sport besides water polo"Growing up in a family whose lives revolve around sports, I love watching all sports, but nothing is better than watching either of my brothers play soccer."

Favorite professional sports team"Slightly biased, but the Sacramento Kings are my favorite professional sports team."

Fondest pre-Brown sports memory"My fondest memory would have to be beating our rivals for the first time in two years at the beginning of my junior season. Although we did win the tournament, there was greater satisfaction in knowing that after we put our mind to something and we accomplished it through hard work and determination."

Favorite part about the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center"My favorite part is our locker room. Not only is it awesome, but it also is where our team can chill and be ourselves."

Favorite/least favorite thing about moving to the East Coast"My favorite part about the East Coast is the proximity of everything. I've never lived somewhere where you can jump on a train and be in another state. My least favorite part is the cold. If I can make it through the winter I will be more than impressed with myself."

What are you looking forward to most this season?"I would have to say that I am most excited about spending time traveling with the team and our wonderful coaches: Felix, Mark and Katie."

#17 Hannah KoperAT, Santa Barbara, Calif. (San Marcos)

Why Brown?"I always knew that I liked Brown because of the ability to combine strong academics with a great athletics program. When I visited Brown, though, I knew it was the right school for me because of the amazing and welcoming atmosphere surrounding it. Everyone, especially our team and coaches, was so nice and helpful and it made me want to be a part of this community."

Intended Concentration"I am currently undeclared, but I am thinking about going into the field of math or applied math and economics."

Nickname"Anything with 'Banana' seems to become a nickname for me, whether that's Hannah Banana, Han Ban, or even just plain Banana."

Favorite sport besides water polo"I would say soccer. I grew up playing soccer and even though I don't play it anymore, I still love watching it."

Favorite professional sports team"Sacramento Kings"

Fondest pre-Brown sports memory"One of my favorite experiences that playing water polo has given to me was playing in and winning the gold medal in the Maccabiah Games in Israel this summer. I had so much fun not only playing water polo, but also meeting people from all around the world."

Favorite part about the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center"I would have to say my favorite part is the pool deck. It's a really nice atmosphere there with the team and our coaches talking and joking around."

Favorite/least favorite thing about moving to the East Coast"Even though it's pretty cliché to say, the cold has been my least favorite part so far. I'm not used to having to wear pants in the winter, let alone fleeces, coats, mittens and hats. My favorite part about the East Coast is the new culture and different people that I have been exposed to."

What are you looking forward to most this season?"Bonding more with everyone on the team, and also of course playing a lot of good water polo and doing our best as a team. I have had such a good time getting to know our coaches and team so far and I can't wait to spend the season with them."